Bayville Paralegal Charged With Embezzling Over $75,000
Friday, October 3, 2025, 7:15 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
TOMS RIVER, NJ.- Last Friday, following an investigation, a 58-year-old Bayville, New Jersey, woman employed as a paralegal with a local Toms River law firm was taken into custody and charged in connection with a 19-month embezzlement scheme that resulted in the loss of over $75,000 from a client of the law firm.
According to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, on Friday, September 26, 2025, Marie Debella, 58, of Bayville, New Jersey, was taken into custody and charged with Theft by Unlawful Taking. She was processed on the charge and was released on non-monetary monitoring conditions pending future court proceedings in Ocean County Superior Court in Toms River, New Jersey.
Dibella Accused Of Stealing Client’s Money
The charge stems from a nearly year-long investigation by Detectives of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad that uncovered that while employed as a paralegal at a Toms River, New Jersey, law firm, Dibella, in her capacity, gained access to a client’s financial and personal information.
   Detectives further uncovered that, beginning in January 2023 and continuing through August 2024, Dibella diverted funds belonging to the client for her own personal benefit by writing checks to herself and her family members, resulting in a loss of $75,000.
On Friday, September 26, 2025, Detectives filed the above charge against Dibella. On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, after being notified of the charge being filed, Dibella surrendered herself to the Berkeley Township Police Department, where she was then transported to the Ocean County Jail and subsequently processed and released on a summons complaint pending future court proceedings.
“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”
